The ‘race that stops the nation’ attracts thousands of fans who are drawn for the fashion just as much as the racing – here are the best dressed at the Melbourne Cup 2026
Racing fans wowed onlookers with a dazzling display of colour and glamour at the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday.
Australia’s highest-profile horse race once again drew in tens of thousands of punters. Nicknamed “the race that stops a nation,” millions of Aussies in Victoria enjoyed a bank holiday to watch the action and soak up some spring sunshine.
As well as attracting the world’s best jockeys and top music acts like Robbie Williams, the meet is synonymous with Australian fashion. Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup theme was bright, bold colours — and racegoers didn’t disappoint.
This year, organisers told fans to “think vivid tones, daring prints, and statement hats” by dressing to reflect yellow roses, the official flower. That was Kaylah Mannion’s inspiration as she showed off a flowing baby blue ensemble.
“It’s my first time. It’s crazy, it’s bigger than I imagined it to be,” the 26-year-old from the Gold Coast in Queensland for the Cup, told The Star .
“It’s about the fashion, more than the horses for me. There’s no judgement, you can go all out.”
Kaylah was just one of thousands of Australians who flew in from other states to see the spectacle. Work pals Janelle Edwards, Vivian Romic, and Adisa McEvoy had all travelled from Perth, Western Australia — the same distance as London to Libya.
Janelle, 47, explained why: “We work for the company that owns the horse, Zakouma, running in the cup. It’s a big deal to have a horse in the cup.
“The Melbourne Cup is a tradition, it’s the biggest race in the country, every year everyone stops. It literally stops the nation, everyone watches it at work.”
International visitors also flocked in. Jin Horibata, a horse trainer from Japan, said he was “very excited” to be at the event.
Equestrian Poline Cartraud, from Poitiers in France, said she “never gets to a race back home” and was excited to be at the racing festival.
Take a look at the best dressed at the 2026 Melbourne Cup in our gallery below.
Richard Shaw and Tim Amourous were one of many taking a cruise down the east coast of Australia for a trip of a lifetime. The pair, from Walloon in Queensland, were there for Richard’s birthday, which fell on race day.
The duo, friends since school, said they “very impressed”. Richard added: “It’s the Aussie experience. Everyone, from the rich to the punter off the street, comes together.”
Shane Dyde was on the same cruise, heading down from Sydney for a friend’s birthday.
Grant Collins (centre) and his mates were also on the same cruise, celebrating his 60th birthday with family and friends down from Brisbane in Queensland. They also caught the eye with “bright and vivid” suits.
Pink was also the choice for 23-year-old Alice Mason from Victoria. She said the meet is “really exciting”, laughing she “likes the stomp of the horses”.
Another new racing fan was Lacey Pedlow, celebrating her 18th birthday with mum Natasha from the Gold Coast. She said the day was “something to look forward to” all year.
Mates Alison and Renae said Flemington Racecourse was “beautiful” and it was “so far so good” with having a flutter.
Friends Jessica Millard and Sally Dixon have been long-term racing fans, returning to Flemington for the second year in a row. Asked what sparked their fascination, nurse Jessica said: “They are regal creatures. It’s the atmosphere – you mingle with the rich and not so, but you never know who!”